SPONSORED BY
Good morning!
The Okaloosa County School District and Space Florida inked a new partnership on an aerospace workforce program, opening career pathways for local students. Niceville softball advanced to the Elite 8 with a 6-3 win over Gulf Breeze, while Crestview softball’s historic season ended in a Sweet 16 loss. Also, the Gulfarium releases seven sea turtles, HCA Florida Twin Cities earns 5 stars, Habitat for Humanity breaks ground in DeFuniak Springs, and the Crestview Chamber’s first enlistment signing ceremony.
GIVING BACK
Crestview Chamber hosts first military enlistment signing ceremony for graduating seniors
From giving back to investing in the future, FPL is powering strong communities. Learn more here.
The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce honored 24 graduating seniors who have committed to serving in the United States military during a first-of-its-kind enlistment signing ceremony Thursday morning.
- The event, held during the chamber’s monthly networking breakfast, drew 346 guests including family members, business leaders, military officials and local dignitaries.
Chamber CEO Sandra Wilson said the idea took shape in December after conversations with local high schools. The chamber worked with administrators at Crestview, Baker and Laurel Hill high schools to identify students who had committed to enlist.
“We celebrate athletes and signing up to colleges, and I was like, ‘We need to celebrate the young people that join the military,'” Wilson said.
Wilson said she hopes the ceremony helps the young enlistees push through the challenges ahead, knowing their hometown is behind them.
SPONSORED
It’s the perfect season to tee up and enjoy the ride.
It’s the perfect season to tee up and enjoy the ride.
- With auto loan rates as low as 4.74% APR, Eglin Federal Credit Union can help you go farther—for less.
Shop for your new or used vehicle at any participating dealer to apply for on site financing with Eglin Federal Credit Union, or apply online at eglinfcu.org/auto.
Your best round starts with a great drive.
Eglin Federal Credit Union. Where members matter most.
GAMES
WordroW: May 14, 2026
WordroW is brought to you by Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic – keeping your mind sharp and your spine aligned, one game at a time.
Can you guess today’s 5-letter word in six tries?
WordroW is Get The Coast’s daily word puzzle featuring local words, places, and phrases from our community. You have six guesses to find the mystery word – green letters are correct and in the right spot, yellow letters are in the word but wrong position, and gray letters aren’t in the word at all.
SPORTS
Niceville softball defeats Gulf Breeze 6-3, advances to Elite 8
The Niceville Lady Eagles kept their quest to return to the state title game alive on Wednesday night, defeating Gulf Breeze 6-3 in a rematch of the district championship.
Niceville jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind a two-run double from Chloe Bailey and a wild pitch that scored courtesy runner Layla Hughes. Gulf Breeze rallied to tie it in the third, but the Lady Eagles responded with power — Sydney Hann launched a solo home run to retake the lead, and Annabelle Shackelford followed with a two-run shot to make it 6-3.
Bailey was dominant in the circle, allowing just two hits while striking out 16. The Lady Eagles are now the last local team standing in softball and will host Chiles on Thursday night in the Elite Eight.
GAMES
Jigsaw – “SSUS”
WordroW is brought to you by Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic – keeping your mind sharp and your spine aligned, one game at a time.
Ready for this week’s Jigsaw puzzle?
Each week, we use local pictures from around Okaloosa County as part of our puzzles. They’ll include current dated photos to historical ones. Do you recognize this place?
BUSINESS
HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital earns 5-star quality rating from national agency
HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital has received a 2026 5-Star Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the highest possible rating a hospital can earn under the federal program.
The CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating evaluates hospitals nationwide across several categories, including mortality, safety of care, readmissions, patient experience and timely, effective care. Hospitals that receive a 5-star rating are recognized for delivering consistently high-quality care and strong patient outcomes across multiple areas of performance.
BEACH
Gulfarium releases seven rehabilitated sea turtles back into the Gulf at Inlet Beach
Seven rehabilitated sea turtles made their way back into the Gulf last Thursday morning as a large crowd gathered at Inlet Beach to cheer on the Gulfarium CARE Center’s latest release.
Two of the turtles released were familiar faces to the CARE Center team.
Ditto, a 133-pound adult female loggerhead, returned as a three-time patient after being accidentally hooked at Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier and made a quick recovery following treatment.
Pipsqueak, a 3.5-pound juvenile green sea turtle, had been released only weeks earlier before being found again with a hook in his throat. After another round of care, both turtles are healthy and back in the Gulf.
SPORTS
Crestview softball’s historic season ends in Sweet 16 loss at Pace
Crestview’s historic season came to an end Tuesday night in a 9-3 loss to Pace in the Sweet 16 round of the state playoffs. A seven-run second inning put the Lady Bulldogs in an early hole they couldn’t escape.
- Crestview showed fight in the fourth.
With two outs, Cambell Toolan ripped a double to spark a rally, and Pace pitcher Hannah DeMarcus walked Anna Parker. MacKenzie Toth singled, and Taeia Schriner drove a two-out, RBI double that scored Anna Balk (the courtesy runner for Toolan), Parker and Toth to cut the deficit to 7-3.
For Crestview, the loss brings the curtain down on the best season in program history. (They’ve never gotten a run with Pace).
Full story from Travis Espy
GIVING BACK
Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on new DeFuniak Springs neighborhood
Habitat for Humanity of Walton County broke ground May 8 on its next affordable housing neighborhood, a nine-home development on Vann Avenue in DeFuniak Springs.
“Habitat for Humanity of Walton County is thrilled to mark this significant milestone in our mission to provide affordable housing to local families,” said Teresa Jones, CEO. “Given the lack of affordable housing solutions in Walton County, this neighborhood will be an incredible opportunity for several deserving families to have a safe place to call home.”
Construction on the nine new homes is set to begin this spring with the help of the homeowners, Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers.
SCHOOL
Space Florida, Okaloosa County School District partner on aerospace workforce program
Space Florida and the Okaloosa County School District have signed a memorandum of understanding to implement the Space Florida Academy Program, a workforce development initiative designed to connect students with career pathways in the aerospace industry.
- The ceremonial signing took place Wednesday during the ninth annual Technology Coast Manufacturing & Engineering Network Industry Day at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long and Superintendent Marcus Chambers signed the agreement.
The program helps students earn industry-recognized credentials in high-demand sectors tied to aerospace, including aviation, advanced manufacturing, construction, cybersecurity and IT, logistics, and semiconductors. Officials say the credentials open immediate career opportunities and give students a competitive advantage entering the workforce.
The initiative is a collaboration between Space Florida, the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Department of Commerce, the REACH Office and CareerSource Florida.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Thursday. Help us shape the future of local news and make a meaningful impact on your community. Click here to learn how you can support us!
p.s. What did you think of this morning’s newsletter? Hit the reply button and let me know!
Jared
Published with ♥ by Get The Coast.
Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe here.
124 Eglin Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548